Rubber band shooting figure



July 3, 1962 J. P. RODGERS 3,041,780

RUBBER BAND SHOOTING FIGURE Filed June 4, 1958 IN VEN TOR.

M467? P P02765195 ATTDRN EYS dghdifidd Patented July 3, 19 52 i ta as t

This invention relates to a toy or amusement device.

The object of the invention is to provide a toy which is adapted to be operated to discharge rubber bands whereby children or other persons using the device will be able to simulate the shooting of firearms or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy which consists of a member that has a fanciful configuration such as the configuration of a cowboy or other person, and wherein there is provided means for causing the toy to selectively discharge rubber bands whereby the discharging of the rubber bands will simulate the firing of bullets from firearms so that children using the toy will derive much amusement and recreation there from.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view illustrating the toy of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention, and showing certain constructional details thereof.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view illustrating the various parts of the toy disassembled or separated.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the body member.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view illustrating one of the arms.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the other arm.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a modification.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain constructional details of the device of FIGURES 1 through 6, and showing the parts in a raised or adjusted position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral It) indicates the toy of the present invention, and the toy 1% includes a horizontally disposed base 1-1. Mounted on the base 11 is a pair of spaced parallel bearings 12, and the bearings 12 may be secured to the base 11 with any suitable manner. The numeral 13 indicates a horizontally disposed rod or pin which extends through the bearings 12, FIGURE 1.

There is further provided a movable body member which is indicated generally by the numeral 14, and the body member 14 is adapted to have a fanciful configuration such as the configuration resembling or simulating a cowboy. The body member 14- is shaped to include a pair of spaced apart legs 15, and extending rear- Wardly from the lower end of each of the legs 15 is a lug 16, FIGURE 4. The lug 16 is pivotally connected to the rod 13. The body member 14 is further provided With a head portion 17 as well as shoulder portions 13.

Extending rearwardly from the shoulder portions 18 and secured thereto or formed integral therewith are spaced parallel flanges 19 which are provided with apertures 24 There is further provided a pair of movable arms which are indicated by the numeral 21, and each arm 21 is provided with a portion 22 that has an aperture or opening 23 therein, FIGURES 5 and 6. Pivot pins to resemble or simulate firearms.

24 extend through the registering apertures 23 and 20. The arms 21 are further shaped to include second portions 25 which are arranged angularly with respect to the first portions 22, and the second portions 25 are shaped Thus, as shown in FIGURE 6 the portion 25 is shaped to resemble a pistol 26. In FIGURE 5 the portion 25 is shaped to resemble a rifle or shotgun 27. Each of the portions 25 is provided with a notch 28 for a purpose to be later described.

There is further provided a pair of support members.

which are indicated by the numeral 2?, and the support members 29 each have a corner pivotally or hingedly con nected to the body member 14 by means of a securing element or pin 30, and the securing element 3% serves to hold the upper end portion of the support member 29 snugly against the body member 14. Each support member 29 is provided with a catch or notch 31, and the numeral 32 indicates resilient bands or rubber bands which are adapted to extend between the catch 31 and notch 28.

There is further provided actuating cables or lines which are indicated by the numeral 36, and these lines 36 extend through apertures 33 in the body member 14, the lines 36 being connected as at 34 to the movable arms 21. The numeral 35 indicates finger engaging pieces which are connected to the lines 36 so as to facilitate the manual movement of the lines 36, and as shown in FIGURE 2 the lines 36 extend under the rod 13.

As previously described the body member 14 is hingedly connected to the rod 13, and a means is provided for retaining the body member 14 in upright position, as for example when the rubber bands 32 are being discharged. This means comprises stop members 37 which extend from the lower end of the legs 15 and which are secured thereto or formed integral therewith, and the stop members 37 are provided with portions 38 that are adapted to engage recesses 39 in the bearings 12.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 of the drawing, there is illustrated a modification wherein the numeral 49 indicates a support member which has a lower portion thereof hingedly connected to the body member 14 by means of a pin 41. It is to be understood that two of the support members 412 are adapted to be used, and the support members it? are provided with catches 42 whereby the rubber bands 32 can be arranged in engagement with the catches or notches 42 in the same manner as the previously described catches are used.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a toy which is adapted to be used for shooting or discharging rubber bands such as the bands 32. In use, the body member 14 is adapted to be moved to an upright position, as for example as shown in FIGURES l and 2, and the rubber bands 32 are adapted to be stretched between the notches 255 and the catches 31.

0 Then with the lines 36 connected to the arms 21 as at 34 it will be seen that the child can grip the member 35 and pull on either or both of the lines 36. By pulling on the lines 36, it Will be seen that the arms 21 will be caused to pivot on the pins 24 so that the rubber bands 32 will be released from the catches or triggers 31, whereby the bands 32 can be propelled forward in a manner that resembles the discharging of bullets from real firearms such as guns, pistols or the like.

Furthermore, as the arms 21 are pivoted by pulling on the lines 36, it will be seen that the support members 29 will be pulled or moved slightly away from the body member 14 since the support members 29 are only connected to the body member 14 at one point by means of the pin 30. Then, when the bands 32 are released from the catch 31, it will be seen that the support member 29 will snap back against the body member 14 so that a sound will be produced which will simulate the actual Z firing of a gun, pistol or the like. In other words, the release of the bands 32 from the catch 31 permits the support member 29 to snap against the body member 14 so as to cause the desired sound or noise to be produced or provided.

In FIGURE 1 for example the support member 29 is shaped to resemble a vest so that it may resemble the vest worn by a cowboy. In FIGURE 7 there is illustrated a modified support member which is indicated by the numeral 40, and the support member 40' has a pivotal connection at its lower end by means of the pin 41 to the body member 14 while theupper portion of the support member 40 is provided with a catch 42 that is adapted to be engaged by the rubber bands 32.

As the rubber band 32 stretches, FIGURE 7, the catch 42 will cause the support member 40 to flex away from the body member 14, and when the rubber band 32 is released from the catch 42, the support member 40' will snap against the body member 14 so as to produce the desired sound simulating the firing of a weapon.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in difierent shapes and sizes.

As shown in the drawing, the body member 14 is shaped to resemble a cowboy so that suitable coloring or designs may be arranged on the body member 14 to enhance the attractiveness thereof. In view of the fact that the body member 14 is pivotally mounted on the rod 13, it will be seen that the body member and its associated parts can be moved to a lower or horizontal position when not being used. When the body member 14 is in an upright position, it is held steady by means of the stop members 37 and portions 38 which are adapted to engage recess 39 in the bearings 12.

While the present invention has been illustrated resembling a cowboy, it is to be understood that the parts may be made to resemble any desired person or object. As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, one of the arms 21 may have a portion shaped to resemble a rifle 27, while the other arm may have a portion shaped to resemble a pistol 26.

The toy is adapted to have suitable ornamentation which may be lithographed or otherwise placed thereon to simulate a cowboy or the like, guns, weapons or other objects. The toy can be used to simulate gun fighting by cowboys, target practice, as well as law enforcement oflicers, soldiers, gangsters, men from outer space, and the like. It is to be noted that the present invention not only includes a means of discharging the rubber bands, but also includes a means for causing the noise to be provided. The catch in the support member or trigger can be made in any suitable manner as for example by means of a notch, slot, or the like. The parts can be made of flat material or else it can be lifelike miniature and the toy can be readily loaded with the rubber bands by a simple hand operation. The support members can be made in a number of different fashions or manners. In certain instances the support member or trigger can be eliminated and the chest or under the armpit portion of the cowboy can be cut, notched, slotted, bent or otherwise formed to provide the trigger for simulated bullets or rubber bands.

If desired, the toy can be made to represent cowboys shooting at each other and the device can be made so that several children can operate the toy to simulate cowboys shooting at each other, or the device can be operated to simulate cowboys shooting at targets. The hinge mounting between the body member14 and the rod 13 permits the cowboy to be knocked backward but not forward as for example when the body member or cowboy is struck by a rubber band or missile. When the toy is to be used, the rubber bands 32 are stretched between the notches 28 and the catches 31, and then by pulling on the cables 36, the arms 21 will be moved so that the bands 32 will stretch and be discharged from the toy. The action of releasing the rubber bands causes the support member to snap back against the body member with a noise. Both arms operate in the same manner, although one arm may be shaped to resemble a pistol and the other arm may have a rifle simulating portion. The noise produced by the support member snapping against the body member simulates the firing of a rifle or pistol.

The toy of the present invention is simple and safe to use and can be made and sold at a low cost. It is to be noted that each of the arms includes the angularly arranged portion 22 and 25 and this serves to insure that the rifle or pistol will be brought to firing position in a straight line pointing straight ahead from the hips of the cowboy, when the rubber band is discharged.

The support members such as the support members 29 each have one end secured as at 30 to the body member 14 so that the free end portion of the support member 29 can flex or move towards or away from the body member. However, the pin 30 securely aflixes the other end portion of the support member 29 to the body member 14 so that no lateral or sidewise shifting movement of the support member is possible. Thus, the support member can move from the solid line position of FIGURE 2 to the dotted line position of FIGURE 2, or the support member can move to the position shown in FIGURE 8 and when the support member is released it will snap back against the body member 14 to produce the desired sound. In the modification shown in FIGURE 7, the position of the anchoring pin such as the pin 41 is reversed from the position of the anchoring pin shown in FIGURES 1 through 6 so that the anchoring pin 41 is at the bottom instead of being at the top and otherwise the operation and use of the device of FIGURE 7 is generally the same as that shown in FIGURES 1 through 6.

The rubber band will slip off of the support member 29 as the support member flexes or moves outward away from the body member 14 since as the support member 29 flexes outward, the position of the catch 31 will be shifted or changed so that the rubber band can readily slip off of the catch 31.

I claim:

1. In a toy, a horizontally disposed base, a pair of spaced parallel bearings mounted on said base, a rod extended between said pair of bearings, a body member arranged above said base and including leg portions, lugs extending rearwardly from the lower ends of said leg portions, said lugs being pivotally connected to said rod, apertured flanges extending rearwardly from said body member, arms having end portions pivotally connected to said flanges, there being a notch in each arm, a pair of movable support members pivotally connected to said body member, said support members being provided with a catch, resilient bands engaging said catches and notches, there being apertures in said body member, lines trained under said rod and extending through said apertures and connected to said arms for pivoting said arms, and stop means on said body member whereby the body member 1s retained in an upright position when the resilient bands are being discharged.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said body member has a fanciful configuration.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of sa1d arms includes first and second portions arranged angularly with respect to each other, said second portion being shaped to resemble a firearm.

4. In a toy, a horizontally disposed base, a pair of spaced parallel bearings mounted on said base, a rod extended between said pair of bearings, a body member arranged above said base and including leg portions, lugs extending rearwardly from the lower ends of said leg portions, said lugs being pivotally connected to said rod, apertured flanges extending rearwardly from said body member, arms having end portions pivotally connected to said flanges, there being a notch in each arm, a pair of movable support members pivotally connected to said body member, said support members being provide with a catch, resilient bands engaging said catches and notches, there being apertures in said body member, lines trained under said rod and extending through said apertures and connected to said arms for pivoting said arms, said body member having a fanciful configuration, each of said arms including first and second portions arranged angularly with respect to each other, said second portions being shaped to resemble firearms, stop means for retaining the body member in an upright position when the resilient bands are being discharged, said stop means comprising stop members extending forwardly from the lower end of the leg portions, there being recesses in the upper surface of the bearings for selective engagement with portions of said stop members.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a toy of a fanciful configuration having a cowboy-like appearance, comprising a horizontally disposed base, a body member pivotally References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,932,346 Leavstrom Oct. 24, 1933 2,185,091 Orlando Dec. 26, 1939 2,497,457 Kucera Feb. 14, 1950 2,624,156 Meyer Jan. 6, 1953 2,730,094 Hicks Jan. 10, 1956 2,898,903 Hovermale Aug. 11, 1959 

